Disclaimer: I don't own CSI

Update: every 2-3 weeks

"You said WHAT to Grissom?" Nick looked at his younger colleague in surprise. Warrick laughed amused. "Sanders, you really don't know when to shut up." Catherine and Sara joint in with Warrick, while Nick was still flabbergasted. "Well, maybe sometimes I overshare?" Greg offered with an innocent smile. "You think so?" Sara asked unable to stop chuckling. They had just worked on a case that involved gender re-assignment and the young lab technician had mentioned to his supervisor that he really likes to have a penis. He couldn't help it. Grissom still made him feel nervous. When he was nervous he blurted out lots of rubbish things. Then he felt even more nervous. It was a vicious circle.

"How did he react?" Nick finally enquired. "He frowned at me and kept on working like I didn't say anything." The Texan shook his head, still in disbelieve. "You're such a goofball, G!" A wide grin appeared on Greg's face. "That's me." He knew the insult was meant in a loving way.

"He is still letting you take the proficiency test, though?" Sara enquired. Her face showed a hint of worry. "Yes- like I said he just pretended I didn't say anything. Don't worry guys. I will definitely be professional when I work in the field. I'm not a child you know." Nick had to laugh about this claim. "Well, G, sometimes you are." The grin on Greg's face got even wider if that was even possible. "But that's why you all love me."

It had only been a week since Greg had passed his final proficiency test, when he and Sara were called to a crime scene in the geology department of the Las Vegas University. Then they had still been a team. Now they were separated, working either night or swing shift. Then he had worked on the case of a Sherlock Holmes wannabe's murder that someone staged as an alleged suicide. Now a new mystery would unfold itself to them.

Greg put his kit onto the ground. His gaze wandered through the room that was tainted with blood. He stood in the rock preparation laboratory. Two big rock sawing machines were at the right hand side of the room, while on the left hand side two smaller ones were located. In the middle of the room a grinding machine could be found. Equipment geologist used to produce thin-sections.

Someone had something else in mind though…

Sara had stayed back with Brass to take the statement of the poor research assistant who had found the laboratory in its bloody state. Greg could only imagine how horrible it must have been for the young student. He still hadn't got used to the sight of blood evidence himself. He opened his kit, put on some gloves and started to work up the crime scene. There was lots of blood, at least 6 pints, but no indication of a body or even body parts. Where the hell was the victim? Carefully he took blood swaps from the different sawing machines. He stored them carefully in a case.

"Any thoughts?" Sara's voice echoed from the walls. Greg raised his eyebrows. "Well, there is lots of blood, but apparently no body," he stated the obvious. "You know, I wonder if this could be some kind of fraternity prank. I mean, maybe the blood is not human. Wouldn't be the first time things like this happened on university grounds."

"Maybe you are right, Greggo. Let's go back to the lab and have Mia test the blood. We should keep the crime tape up ,though. Just in case this is not just a tasteless prank, but a murder scene." He nodded. "Couldn't agree more."

Greg and Sara headed back to the lab, where Greg handed the swaps he collected over to Mia in DNA. Then he headed over to the break room. A bright smile appeared on his lips when he spotted Nick and Warrick. He really missed having those both around him. Warrick could be harsh sometimes, but he had learnt so much of him as well. Nick was his best friend, it was just not the same without his humours comments or infectious smile.

" Hola chicos!" Since Ecklie separated the team he almost never saw those two. "Hey G, how are you? I think I haven't seen you in a week." Nick sat on the sofa, arms resting on the back of it. Greg dropped down next to him. "I'm alright I guess. I miss you guys… I even miss Warrick's insults." Nick tousled his hair. "Cheer up I'm quite optimistic that this is just temporary…but we miss you too." Warrick nodded. "Damn right, Sanders. I especially miss to be able to deal out that insults." Greg stuck his tongue out.

"So why are you guys still here? Shouldn't you be at home by now?" The former lab tech enquired. Nick sighed. "Yes, in theory. But swing shift is understaffed and those reports don't write themselves." He stroked through his dark brown hair. "I'm exhausted…"

"Me too, man," Warrick chimed in. His pager rang. "Ohhh our new supervisior wants to see me…" Nick looked at him interrogatively. "What could Catherine want?" Warrick shrugged his shoulders. "Beats me. I guess I need to go and find out," he stated and left the room.

Greg pushed himself up and busied himself making coffee. "Can I offer you a cup of my awesome coffee?" he asked Nick. "That should kick start your brain without problems." The Texan smirked. "Yeah sure, thanks."

Greg turned around and examined the older man. Nick had black shadows under his eyes, that usually had that bright shine of optimism, and he was a lot paler. Greg couldn't believe how exhausted his friend looked. He felt really bad for him. His dislike for Ecklie increased day to day since he separated them.

"So what case you're working Greg? I heard you and Sara went to the university today?" Nick asked after a while. "Yes, but I'm not sure if it is really a case or just a prank." The coffee was ready. Greg poured two cups and handed one to Nick who received it thankfully. "To be honest…I really hope it is a prank. The alternative would be that there is a crazy psycho out there who uses the saws in the geology department to chop up bodies or even worse to cut someone in pieces while they are still alive." A cold shower ran down his spine. He needed to get this image out of his mind. He took a big sip from his cup.

"Yeah that would be pretty crazy…" This response made Greg frown. He sat back down next to Nick. "You seem preoccupied," he stated. "Sorry…it's just this case we had. Mail-order brides…I just don't get it. It seems no one is a romantic anymore." Greg looked at his friend surprised. "And you are? As far as I can remember you had several one night stands in the last couple of month. Poor women…you didn't even call them again."

Nick pouted. "Touché. But I wasn't looking for that one person I want to spend the rest of my life with…recently though…" –"You're feeling your biological clock ticking?" Greg offered. Nick boxed his upper arm playful. "Very funny, G. No. "He shook his head." What I wanted to say: Recently I feel that I want to find that special someone…no more fooling around."

Greg looked at his friend. Was he for real? Somehow it seemed a weird thought. Nick and a wife and possibly little children running around in a garden. He cleared his throat. "Good luck finding her." He got up. Somehow this conversation went into a direction that made him feel uncomfortable. Also, he told Sara he would just grab a coffee and be right back.

Greg went for the door, missing the confused look on his friend's face. In this moment Sara opened the door to the break room. He almost ran into her. "Greg, pay attention where you're going" she cursed. "Sorry, Sara," he gazed at her apologetically. "It's alright. I was looking for you anyways. Mia has the results of the blood test."

"And?" he asked frowning.

"It's human."

Hope you enjoyed this first chapter